Two teams from Magh Ene College in Bundoran have just found out that they are through to the regional finals for the prestigious fashion competition Junk Kouture, which takes place on Monday the 6th of March in the Milennium Forum in Derry.
Junk Kouture is a national fashion contest which encourages aspiring designers to recycle ‘junk’, and make it ‘kouture’! The aim of the competition is to ignite passion in teeangers for the art of design, while also highlighting the importance of recycling.
Teacher Zara McDaid says; “My job as their art teacher was to inspire, encourage and motivate them whilst providing them with some extra class time to complete their garments. I gave them advise where needed but the designs and ideas came entirely from the students themselves.
“I really loved watching their design’s progress from scratch to beautiful finished pieces. I was impressed with the level of dedication that they put into their work.
On Friday the 24th of February Junk Kouture allow the public to vote – whoever gets the most votes can then progress to the final in Dublin!
‘Espresso Yourself’ was designed and created by Chantelle Wymbs with her assistants Tara Dolan and Chloe Kilkenny.
The trio made use of out of date coffee beans, old lace fabric from curtains, coffee stirrers and newspapers to make this fantastic outfit!
‘Zonenepetsa’ was designed and created by T.Y student Rachel Mc Gee with her assistants Hannah Mc Nulty and Caoimhe Delaney. The girls weaved toilet roll holders to add detail to the bodice, and recycled plastic bottles into rosegold flowers!
Medicine caps collected from a team member’s grandmother and plastic spoons from the school canteen helped them form the Aztec elements of the dress.
They also ribboned 200 plastic bags and made tassles to the hem and to add texture to the train.
The headpiece is completely moulded from broken twigs found in a nearby forest, pairing them with feathers they collected from their local pet shop to make their one-of-a-kind ensemble.
To vote for ‘Espresso Yourself’ and ‘Zonenepetsa’ you can log onto www.boijunkkouture.com on Friday!
The winning school wins €2,500 cash and a Junk Kouture trophy, and the winning team gets €500 cash and iPad minis for themselves and their teacher.
The prizes for regional winners is fantastic too, with the four winning regional teams getting tickets to Cannes Film Festival in May 2017 with their teacher!
The Bank of Ireland Glamour Prize will be awarded to two models who will be invited to attend The Royal Film Premiere in London.
Student designers and models Niamh Ni Dhufaigh, Amy Nic Floinn Ni Chasaide, Shannen McGiolla Chearra Ni Phatuin, Caoimhe Ni Dhroma and Helen Ni Chanainn Ni Chanthain from Coláiste Ailigh, Letterkenny are also through to the regional finals in Derry this year.
In the six years the competition has been running, several Donegal students have made an impression on judges, with Maurisz Malon from Buncrana being tipped to be the next Alexander McQueen during the 2016 competition!
